Section 4729.47 | Authority to dispense epinephrine without a prescription.
(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Board of health" means a board of health of a city or general health district or an authority having the duties of a board of health under section 3709.05 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Physician" means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery.
(B) If use of a protocol that has been developed pursuant to rules adopted under division (G) of this section has been authorized under section 3707.60 or 4731.961 of the Revised Code, a pharmacist or pharmacy intern may dispense epinephrine without a prescription in accordance with that protocol to either of the following individuals so long as the individual is at least eighteen years of age:
(1) An individual who there is reason to believe is experiencing or at risk of experiencing anaphylaxis if the pharmacy affiliated with the pharmacist or intern has a record of previously dispensing epinephrine to the individual in accordance with a prescription issued by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs;
(2) An individual acting on behalf of a qualified entity, as defined in section 3728.01 of the Revised Code.
(C)(1) A pharmacist or pharmacy intern who dispenses epinephrine under this section shall instruct the individual to whom epinephrine is dispensed to summon emergency services as soon as practicable either before or after administering epinephrine.
(2) A pharmacist or pharmacy intern who dispenses epinephrine to an individual identified in division (B)(1)(a) of this section shall provide notice of the dispensing to the individual's primary care provider, if known, or to the prescriber who issued the individual the initial prescription for epinephrine.
(D) A pharmacist may document the dispensing of epinephrine by the pharmacist or a pharmacy intern supervised by the pharmacist on a prescription form. The form may be assigned a number for record-keeping purposes.
(E) This section does not affect the authority of a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to fill or refill a prescription for epinephrine.
(F) A board of health that in good faith authorizes a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to dispense epinephrine without a prescription in accordance with a protocol developed pursuant to rules adopted under division (G) of this section is not liable for or subject to any of the following for any action or omission of the individual to whom the epinephrine is dispensed: damages in any civil action, prosecution in any criminal proceeding, or professional disciplinary action.
A physician who in good faith authorizes a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to dispense epinephrine without a prescription in accordance with a protocol developed pursuant to rules adopted under division (G) of this section is not liable for or subject to any of the following for any action or omission of the individual to whom the epinephrine is dispensed: damages in any civil action, prosecution in any criminal proceeding, or professional disciplinary action.
A pharmacist or pharmacy intern authorized under this section to dispense epinephrine without a prescription who does so in good faith is not liable for or subject to any of the following for any action or omission of the individual to whom the epinephrine is dispensed: damages in any civil action, prosecution in any criminal proceeding, or professional disciplinary action.
(G) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section , the state board of pharmacy shall, after consulting with the state medical board, adopt rules to implement this section. The rules shall specify minimum requirements for protocols established by physicians under which pharmacists or pharmacy interns may dispense epinephrine without a prescription.
All rules adopted under this section shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
Available Versions of this Section
- April 8, 2019 – Enacted by House Bill 101 - 132nd General Assembly [ View April 8, 2019 Version ]